Georgia Department of Human Services Presentation for the Institute of Medicine Committee on Family Caregiving for Older Adults Providing Services to Rural Caregivers April 17, 2015 Cliff Burt, MPA Caregiver Specialist Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services Atlanta, Georgia
Vision, Mission and Core Values Vision Stronger Families for a Stronger Georgia. Mission Strengthen Georgia by providing Individuals and Families access to services that promote self-sufficiency, independence, and protect Georgia's vulnerable children and adults. Core Values Provide access to resources that offer support and empower Georgians and their families. Deliver services professionally and treat all clients with dignity and respect. Manage business operations effectively and efficiently by aligning resources across the agency. Promote accountability, transparency and quality in all services we deliver and programs we administer. Develop our employees at all levels of the agency.
Mobile Day Care Enables rural communities to have their own day care program several days a week Staff and supplies are mobile, not the facility Shared staff travel between locations Key success is to hire one person locally, called a Community Development Coordinator, to open doors Value added when housed with program such as a senior center
Telephone Based Supports: BRI Care Consultation Evidence-based / Telephonic-based information and support service Web-based Care Consultation Information System Equally supports care receivers and their caregivers Georgia Care Consultation grant project Targeted underserved clients Was as effective in rural Georgia as it was in metro-atlanta Provided accessible and supportive services Effective case management alternative Web-based Care Consultation Information System
Georgia Alzheimer s and Related Dementias State Plan:Initiatives Impacting Caregiver Diversity Equipping Rural Physicians Distance Learning for Physicians training to help physicians recognize and diagnose Alzheimer s Disease Achieving Urban-Rural Parity Alzheimer s Disease and Related Dementias Registry Portal to collect anonymous prevalence data; data will be entered directly by physicians, or will be mined through existing databases (Medicare, Medicaid, and participating skilled nursing facilities) Will help state fund services, position resources, and develop workforce where needed to achieve greater urban-rural parity
RCI REACH Evidence based dementia caregiver support program provided by a certified caregiver coach in twelve sessions held face to face or by phone over a six month period. RCI REACH is especially suited for rural populations. Rural caregivers were hungry for this connection. Preliminary data analysis of pre-post program assessment indicates statistically significant: Reduction in caregiver burden Reduction in caregiver depression, Improvement in caregiver health Improvement caregiver confidence in providing quality care
Telephone Reassurance Telephone Reassurance- An intervention that can reduce social isolation, provide support, and ensure health and safety 25% of 60+ seniors in Georgia live in rural areas Offered in some areas to persons on the waiting list for other services 80% of participants from one AAA s program are from rural areas, and 36% from Atlanta region s program are, too Two models developed, with how-to manuals
Lessons Learned from Working in Rural Areas If they don t know you, or your people, they may not trust you, or even work with you. Find a local, trusted person who is well connected to help publicize (and legitimize) the program. Accepting help, especially for day care or in-home respite, may be viewed as shirking responsibilities as a good spouse or child. Conduct some public speaking around caregiver respite improves their health, enabling caregivers to continue longer in role: change attitudes and perceptions. Identify where seniors meet in rural areas to conduct programs: Wednesday night at church; grocery store on discount day; libraries; senior living; YMCA
Lessons Learned from Working in Rural Areas Members of the general public frequently go to the local hospital to eat lunch. This is a great place to publicize, and/or schedule a program to coincide with them being at the facility, such as a Powerful Tools for Caregivers education/training program. The first ones who participate tell others, so word of mouth is your best way to grow the program. Other than word of mouth, community calendar sections of newspapers are a successful way to reach people about special events. If you want to promote something, find a champion.
Future Directions for Family Caregiving in Georgia Web Portal By county, will enable older individuals, at-risk adults, persons with disabilities, and caregivers to access aging and disability services Georgia Telephone Support for Seniors (GATSS) This app delivers scheduled notifications asking if you are OK at the time you designate If you fail to respond, the app notifies up to three care providers Georgia Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (GANE) App Screening tools for law enforcement and Adult Protective Services to determine potential cognitive, financial exploitation, or ANE Self-Directed Care Increased emphasis on growing the capacity